Effect of nicardipine on essential tremor: brief report

The effects of nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB), were investigated in 11 patients with essential tremor (ET). In a placebo controlled study, a single oral dose of 30 mg of nicardipine was administered, followed by 1 month of sustained treatment (60 mg/day). Tremor was assessed by accelerometric recording. A single oral dose of nicardipine reduced the tremor amplitude respect baseline (p = 0.003) and placebo (p = 0.008). After 1 month of chronic treatment, nicardipine still reduced the tremor amplitude (30.78% +/- 17.13 SE from baseline), but failed to sustain the initial statistical improvement. A single oral dose of nicardipine is effective in reducing ET.